‘Bumrah is just a freak’: Michael Clarke hails India’s ace pacer amid T20 World Cup 2026

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has showered praise on Jasprit Bumrah amid the T20 World Cup. Clarke said Bumrah is the most important player in the world across all three formats. Bumrah has been a consistent performer in all three forms of the game and completed 500 International wickets in the semifinal against England at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday.

The gun fast bowler returned with impressive figures of 1-33 in his quota of four overs when all the other bowlers were taken to the cleaners. Bumrah conceded only six runs in the 18th over, and it was a game-changing moment.

“Bumrah… he’s just a freak. Across all three forms of the game. By a distance the most important player in the world right now,” Clarke stated on Beyond23 Cricket podcast.

Clarke highlighted that Bumrah is effective at both ends of the innings and he should be used with guile in T20 cricket.

“He gets wickets with the new ball, and bowls the hardest overs at the death. What I admire most in him – is that he has so many varied abilities,” Clarke continued, “If I was captaining him in T20 cricket, the biggest challenge would be deciding when to use him, as you only get four overs.”

The 2015 World Cup-winning captain said India has been the best team of the T20 World Cup 2026.

“To me, India has been the team that has stood out in this tournament. They’ve been absolutely brilliant,” he said.

Clarke gave credit to former Indian skipper Virat Kohli for the improvement in India’s fielding standards.

He concluded, “Years ago India had a reputation for being a weaker fielding side, but I believe Virat Kohli played a big role in changing that culture, by putting such a heavy focus on fitness.”

India will take on New Zealand in the final on Sunday.